STS-115 Launch From VIP Viewing Area

STS-115 Atlantis launch on September 9, 2006 viewed form the VIP launch viewing area next to the Saturn V exhibit center. This is about 3 miles from Pad 39A...closer than the large famous countdown clock...pretty much the closest humans to the launch.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• STS-115
• Atlantis
• Space
• Shuttle
• VIP

[cainam979]

I'm from Germany and I'm saving all money to see/hear that before the shuttles are sent to museum...

[mtlstve]

@cainam979 It's worth it! You will not be disappointed!

[mtlstve]

One of the coolest parts of this launch was the bus driver telling us that if the wind changes direction after the launch that we have to get on the bus immediately. The exhaust cloud of a launch contains droplets of hydrochloric acid (HCl...created from the reaction in the boosters) which could irritate your skin. Apparently this happened to the crowd at the previous launch. Nothing I'd like more than to be able to say "I've been scorched by the space shuttle motors!!!"

[damienstepien]

i wish wish WISH i could experience that just for the sound alone.

[divad101]

@cainam979 definately worth it but you should get your savings together quickly!!!

[brokenbrush]

If ya can't make the shuttle and ya want to hear loud noisey stuff Try going to a national drag racing event. When the top fuel cars go by you can feel the exhaust pounding against your chest. because of concusions that are caused by the unburnt fuel coming out of the exhaust headers. Because it explodes when it re reaches an oxigen supply. 325 miles per hour in 4 seconds , going right past you is very different and spectacular.

[pointnozzleaway]

pretty cool eh ?

[armymom67fl]

we r going to the nov 1 launch, as vip congrssional guest, i am so excited to go

[Dafezman92]

Very cool. I have written to my Senator for VIP tickets for STS-134 and I hope I get good tickets because I know they have two viewing areas, one is yours and the other is the Causeway.

[calaiscruiser]

@cainam979 hey can I come too!!!

[mtlstve]

Pretty much every congressman has an online contact form. That's what I used. The only thing hard on your part is to make sure you have availability to see the launch and it's possible scrubs. If you're out of town, it may be tough. I lived in Orlando, so I just got off work. STS-115 ended up getting scrubbed several times, but I was still able to get off work.

[mtlstve]

Just told him I heard about congressional VIP tickets and asked if I could obtain a few. They eventually replied asking my full name, address, and full names of all in my party (I had 6 or 7 others on my list as well). They put you on their list, submit it to NASA, and when the availability arises, you get an official invitation in the mail from NASA for a specific launch. I assume it helps to live in Florida...but I also assume any congressman can get tickets.